OCTIS vs GMO Aozora vs Docomo SMTB Net Bank vs Rakuten Bank for a Japanese company
Three online banks that open a company account without a branch visit, compared on transfer cost and set-up.
Last checked · 7 sources
Otty's short answer
Docomo SMTB Net Bank (the new name of Sumishin SBI Net Bank since 3 August 2026) lists a flat ¥100 per transfer to other banks as of October 2026 and no maintenance fee. GMO Aozora lists the same ¥100 with ¥99 for a ¥500 monthly plan. Rakuten Bank is reported at ¥150 or ¥229, so it fits companies with few outgoing transfers.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | GMO Aozora Net Bank | Docomo SMTB Net Bank (formerly Sumishin SBI Net Bank) | Rakuten Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account maintenance fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Not listed on fee page | None | None |
| Transfer to other banks | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | ¥100 per transfer | ¥100 per transfer (reported from 1 Oct 2026) | Reported ¥150 under ¥30,000, ¥229 above; check current fee |
| Transfer within same bank | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Free | Not stated here | Reported ¥52; check current fee |
| Paid plan for cheaper transfers | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | ¥500 per month for ¥99 per transfer | None listed | None listed |
| Free transfers for new accounts | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Not published | 10 per month, first 2 months | Not stated here |
| Debit card | Corporate card via licensed partners | Free for main account | Included, up to 1.0% points by spend | Not verified |
| ATM fee (partner ATMs) | Not an OCTIS product | ¥110 per use | Not stated here | Not stated here |
| Apply online, no branch | International business account via licensed partners | Yes | Yes, 24 hours | Not verified |
| Account ready | Set up through licensed partners alongside your incorporation | Not published | As early as next day | Not published |
| Foreign beneficial owner | A Hong Kong company run from anywhere; accounts via licensed partners, subject to their approval | Not verified | Seal certificate if abroad | Not verified |
| Bulk transfer service | Sending payments via licensed partners | ¥100 per transfer, no set-up fee | Yes, outside the ¥100 change | Check current fee |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you sell to customers in several countries and want a multi-currency business account via licensed partners next to your accounts.
GMO Aozora Net Bank
Choose GMO Aozora if you send many transfers and want a paid plan that lowers the unit fee to ¥99.
Docomo SMTB Net Bank (formerly Sumishin SBI Net Bank)
Choose Docomo SMTB Net Bank if you want a flat ¥100, a debit card with points and the fastest listed opening.
Rakuten Bank
Choose Rakuten Bank if you send few transfers and want a free account from a large online group.
What the table does not show
The names and the fees moved in 2026
Sumishin SBI Net Bank changed its company name to Docomo SMTB Net Bank on 3 August 2026, so older reviews list it under the old name. The bank's own page says other-bank transfers cost ¥100 whatever the amount, as of October 2026. A trade report gives 1 October 2026 as the start date, says the old top rate was about ¥145 and says the transfer-volume discount programme ends. GMO Aozora's fee page shows ¥100, while some of its other pages still show ¥130, so confirm on the day you apply.
Who can open
These banks serve companies registered in Japan. Foreign ownership alone is not a bar, but banks check the business purpose and beneficial owners, and a newly formed company may be asked for extra papers. Docomo SMTB Net Bank asks for a company seal registration certificate when the beneficial owner lives outside Japan. We did not find a published rule on whether a residence card works as the representative's ID at these banks, so ask each bank before you apply.
What these banks do not replace
These are domestic online banks. If you invoice overseas customers or hold foreign currency, check each bank's foreign-currency transfer fees separately, which were not compared here. A megabank branch account still helps when a landlord, lender or large customer expects it. Count your monthly outgoing transfers first, since that decides which fee table matters most to you, and keep a second bank in mind for foreign-currency needs.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS is not a bank and does not open accounts in Japan. If a Malaysian or Hong Kong company sets up a Japanese subsidiary, OCTIS bookkeeping reconciles the home company's own bank statements, and the subsidiary's statements can be consolidated into the same books. Send us your current bill and we come in 10–30% off it.
Frequently asked questions
Which Japanese online bank has the cheapest business transfers?
Docomo SMTB Net Bank and GMO Aozora both list ¥100 per transfer to other banks. GMO Aozora's ¥500 monthly plan lowers that to ¥99, which pays off above about 500 transfers a month. Rakuten Bank is reported at ¥150 or ¥229, which we could not confirm on its own site.
Is Sumishin SBI Net Bank still available?
It is now called Docomo SMTB Net Bank, renamed on 3 August 2026. Company accounts are offered under the new name. Older reviews and comparison tables may still show the previous name and the previous fee.
Can I open a Japanese company account without visiting a branch?
Docomo SMTB Net Bank and GMO Aozora take online applications. Docomo SMTB Net Bank says you can apply online at any hour with a driver's licence and mobile number, and use the account as early as the next day.
Can a foreign owner open a company account in Japan?
A Japan-registered company with foreign owners is not refused for that reason alone. Banks verify the business and beneficial owners, and one bank asks for a seal registration certificate if the owner lives abroad.
Are there monthly fees on these accounts?
Docomo SMTB Net Bank and Rakuten Bank state no maintenance fee. GMO Aozora's fee page lists none, and its optional plan costs ¥500 per month.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.